Yesterday was my husbands birthday and it got me thinking about my pets (yes I have more than dogs) birthdays.  I don’t really celebrate them.  I mean, I will pick up a special treat for them and my kids will wish them a happy birthday but I don’t go all out.  Sometimes, if life has been particularily hectic, that special treat comes a few days after their birthdays.

I know that many dog owners will go all out for their dog’s birthdays.  I have seen photographs from Lab owners with their canine companions sporting party hats, eating dog-healthy cakes and getting lavished in gifts.  I imagine that it is great fun for the dogs and probably the owners as well but it’s not something that I could really see myself doing. 

For one, if I had to make a cake for the dog, well, the kids would want a cake to celebrate the dog’s birthday as well.  I know I have had this discussion with them countless times - every pet birthday actually - and every time, they try to snag a birthday cake out of me for the big day.  It isn’t too big of a deal but the year has enough cakes and treats to last anyone. 

The second point, is that my dogs are not really party hat wearers.  Indi would do it simply because I have trained her to sit with things, including food, on her head but Petey will have nothing to do it.  The only way we can get him to sit with something on his head is to place him in a stern, and I mean stern, sit-stay and then he sits there with this dejected look on his face until we turn our backs long enough for him to hook a paw under his hat.  

I know there are a lot of canine birthday planners out there as well as stores that offer everything you need for your dog’s birthday, including this one. 

I think that it is nice that people take the time to shower their dogs with such attention and if you have the time, the money and the inclination, then by all means party away. I just know that for my two canines, and the other pets, we prefer a quiet party at home with a few tummy scratches, a nice treat and maybe a good game of fetch in the yard.

 So what about you?  Do you throw birthday parties for your dog?

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